Too Many Vulnerable Road Users Still Being Killed Or Injured, Lawyer Warns

Too many cyclists are being killed or injured on Scotland’s roads, says a leading serious injury lawyer following the publication of the latest road casualty statistics.

Figures published by Transport Scotland show that 898 cyclists were injured in 2012 – nine per cent more than in 2011. Among motorcyclists there were seven per cent more casualties but 12 fewer deaths last year compared to 2011.

However, pedestrian casualties fell by five per cent but 54 people were killed and 1,950 were injured.
Irwin Mitchell represents thousands of victims and their families of those tragically killed in road accidents across Scotland from Shetland down to the Borders.

Elaine Russell, a partner and serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Glasgow office, said: “While it’s reassuring that the number of pedestrian casualties have fallen by five per cent, 54 people still lost their lives and 1,950 were injured.

“At Irwin Mitchell We see the devastating consequences road traffic collisions can have on other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and even one death or injury is one too many. The causes range from a simple lack of concentration to driving poorly or dangerously in hazardous conditions and road crashes are, by their very nature, almost always avoidable. That means that every year thousands of people are being killed or injured necessarily.

“We are coming up to one of the busiest periods of the summer when even more cyclists, including children, will be out on their bikes so I would urge all road users to take extra care on Scotland’s roads to prevent accidents like these happening in future.”

Transport Minister Keith Brown, who also commented on the figures, said the Government is investing £58 million on improving the cycling infrastructure, training and road safety messages.

This includes a number of cycling safety initiatives including the ‘Give Me Cycle Space’ social marketing initiative to promote driver awareness of cyclists and the ‘Mutual Respect’ campaign which aims to target consistent safety messages to all road users.